“But by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.”
But by what means he now seeth, we know not; neither know we who hath opened his eyes: ask him: he is of age; he shall speak for himself — the parents acknowledge they do not know the mechanism of the cure or the identity of the healer. Remarkably, they redirect the inquiry to their son: 'ask him: he is of age; he shall speak for himself.' The reference to the man's age ('of age,' hēlikian echei) suggests he is an adult capable of testifying for himself. The parents' strategy is protective: they affirm the cure but avoid commenting on Jesus or the violation of Sabbath law.
Church Fathers on John 9:21
The Pharisees being unable, by intimidation, to deter the blind man from publicly proclaiming his Benefactor, try to nullify the miracle through the parents. But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they had called the parents of him that had received his sight.
Either, say they, it is not true that he now sees, or it is untrue that he was blind before: but it is evident that he now sees; therefore it is not true that he was born blind.
As if to say, We might justly be compelled to speak for an infant, that could not speak for itself: but he, though blind from his birth, has been always able to speak.
Read all 8 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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